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September 5, 2010

Powerboat GPS - Bacoli Endurance Race

Going into the weekend very few would have imagined that the title would have been decided two rounds and a Grand Prix in advance. That is what happened in today's Round eight when both the no limit Evolution, and the open cockpit Supersport class titles where taken out for grabs. To my knowledge this is the first time it happens for Evolution, and the second in Supersport when in 2008 the 41 feet Chaudron powered by Mercury engines 43 Conam Yachts dominated the championship from start to finish winning all races of the series.

Evolution

A second place was enough for Pennesi and Montavoci and the 60 Metamarine Foresti & Sguardi to secure the 2010 World Championship two rounds, and a Grand Prix in advance. It's been a long one coming for Pennesi to take the Evolution title since in 2004 he took the Supersport top spot on an Offcourse Fabio Buzzi 41 feet designed diesel powered boat, and after that from 2005 competing in the bigger class. This triumph is also unique for having Diesel power the only boat in this class today, home built Variante drive, a hull also made in house, and last for the reliability and good results. With the 60 Metamarine always finishing a round, taking three wins, and the worst position being a podium of third. In Bacoli the 60 Metamarine second place with a deficit of less to seven seconds was also characterized by the fastest lap of the day of 3:00,83. A rewarding first place for the home Neapolitan team 88 SNAV-Kiton which made the local fans surely happy, and showed the challenging never give up skills of the 2009 champions. Another third, following a similar result in Poltu Quatu for 55 Ukrainian Spirit who seeing the lap times are still about ten seconds late against the top tier challengers. A retirement on the seventh lap for the USA Northern Europe boat with the longest title 77 Lucas Oil Scandinavian Challenge aka LOCOS. After showing good composure and an improvement in each Grand Prix the 66 Cranefields had to retire at the start lap. Did no start for the fast 33 Furnibo, cause of a broken crash box on the Saturday race.

Supersport

Two second places where enough for the Neapolitan 38 Baia Attolini and the 38 feet Donzi to secure the 2010 Supersport Class title two rounds and a Grand Prix in advance. It was three seasons of hard work and considering how this team was overcame by 44 Conam Yachts in 2008, just lost by a couple points to 43 Seagull Chaudron in 2009, it was nice to see them on the top of the class in a hard fought season with many close challengers. Again reliability was a very important factor for the Mercury racing, Arneson surface drives 38 feet Donzi hull, which I remind was also a 2006 Evolution champion with OSG when the speed limit was at 90 mph as today is in the Supersport class. A first place the second of the season for the open cockpit Fountain of 81 Karelpiu which make the Bacoli citizens very proud being the RG87 Team from the area. 81 Karelpiu did also the fastest lap of the day for the class with a 3:28,06. Another third, after the same result on Saturday for the Yanmar diesel powered forty feet Albatro powered 06 Jolly Drive. The Bacoli weekend was a good one for the only diesel powered boat in Supersport. A retirement for 43 Seagull Chaudron which follows its first win of the season with a disappointing stop on the first lap, and with it the chances of challenging for the 2010 World title in the last two rounds. The 22 Big Sergio did not start today race, after developing some problems on Saturday which the Team of Al&Al did not manage to fix.